Violet May 'Vi' Smitha, 79

Vi was born in Sheridan, Wyo., on May 22, 1932, where she was childhood friends with Carl Smitha. They spent many afternoons together horseback riding on Vi's horse. Carl always made her ride on the back of "her" horse so that after she got down to open the gates he could grasp her hand to help her back on and away they would ride.

After Carl joined the service he knew his heart would never be complete without Vi. All because two people fell in love, Carl made a collect phone call and asked Vi to join him. They were wed on March 21, 1951, in Oceanside, Calif. From there she followed him through the years leading them to Anacortes, Wash., where they shared many wonderful years raising their family. After retirement, they became snow birds spending winters in Indio, Calif., and summers in Coeur d'Alene.

On July 23, 2011, Vi followed Carl one last time to their heavenly home where he has been waiting for her since his death in 2005. Vi is remembered as a loving and caring mother by her children, Richard and Sue Smitha of Anacortes, Wash., Kathy and Frank Hesse of Post Falls, Janet and Colin Stewart of LaConner, Wash., and Terri and Jack Burrows of Hayden.

All because two people fell in love, she will be affectionately remembered by her seven grandchildren and their families, Amie and Casey Weeks, Sara and Jon Vanderpool, Brian and Kathryn Hesse, Jeffrey and Nicole Burrows, Jason Hesse, Nathan Smitha and Nicole Smitha.

There will be no public service. The family is having a private memorial to honor Vi and Carl.